Plumbing service in California
Call NowCalifornia plumbing work ranges from century-old pipes in Bay Area and Los Angeles homes to earthquake strapping, drought-era water rules and very hard water in much of the south and the Central Valley.
California weather and your plumbing
Coastal California is mild year-round, the Central Valley gets very hot summers and foggy winters, and mountain areas freeze. Rain falls mostly in winter, and atmospheric-river storms can drop large amounts in a short time. Earthquakes are a statewide consideration for water heaters and gas lines.
Season by season in California
- Winter storms
- Heavy rain tests sewer laterals and storm drains; many older laterals in coastal cities are clay and let in roots and groundwater.
- Dry season
- Long dry months shrink some soils, and irrigation systems, backflow devices and outdoor lines get heavy use.
Problems the California climate causes
Unstrapped water heaters
Cause: Earthquake risk statewide.
Result: A tank that tips can break its water and gas connections.
Do: California requires water heaters to be braced or strapped; have a plumber check yours when it is serviced or replaced.
Sewer lateral failure
Cause: Winter rain and mature street trees.
Result: Roots and cracks in older laterals cause backups.
Do: A camera inspection is often required or recommended when buying an older home; some cities require lateral inspection at sale.
Housing in California
Pre-war homes in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Oakland often have galvanized supply lines and cast-iron or clay drains. Slab-on-grade construction is common in Southern California and the Central Valley, while raised foundations are typical in older coastal neighborhoods.
Where calls are covered in California
- Covered ZIP codes
- 1,473
- Cities and towns with coverage
- 917
Most covered ZIP codes
- Los Angeles · 66 ZIPs
- San Diego · 41 ZIPs
- San Francisco · 29 ZIPs
- San Jose · 28 ZIPs
- Sacramento · 28 ZIPs
- Fresno · 21 ZIPs
- Long Beach · 14 ZIPs
- Oakland · 14 ZIPs
Check whether your exact California ZIP code is covered (coverage changes over time)
California questions
Does my California water heater need earthquake straps?
Yes. State law requires new and replacement water heaters to be braced or strapped against seismic movement, and inspectors check for it.
Why is my water so hard in Los Angeles or San Diego?
Much of Southern California's supply comes from the Colorado River and groundwater with high mineral content, which leaves scale in heaters and on fixtures.
How do I check a plumber's license in California?
Plumbing contractors in California must hold a Contractors State License Board (CSLB) license with the C-36 Plumbing classification for most work over the small-job threshold. Look up the license number on the CSLB site before hiring. Local building departments issue permits and inspect the work.